Definition

The act of consuming soil or clay, often done for dietary reasons or as a cultural practice.

Example

In some cultures, geophagy is practiced to supplement the diet with minerals.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of geophagy?

Yeah, I read that some cultures practice it for health reasons.

It's interesting how some people eat clay to get minerals they lack.

Definitely! It’s a unique dietary choice that many don't understand.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Geophagy is formed from "geo-" (from Greek "gē", meaning earth or land) and "phagy" (from Greek "phagein", meaning to eat). The word describes the practice of eating earth or soil, often for nutritional or medicinal reasons.

Memory Tip

Imagine eating something from the 'earth' ('geo-') — that's why geophagy means the act of eating earth.

Visually Confused Words